Apple Walnut Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Icing

Are these muffins?  Cupcakes?  Not sure... but once you taste one you won't care.  I made these last weekend to have on hand while my parents were in town visiting.  I have found that having muffins on hand while you have guests works out really well.  Sometimes your guests will arrive starving, or wake up earlier than you and it's nice to have something available so they can help themselves.  These delicious, moist and fluffy muffins will make you happy, whether you have guests or not!

The apple walnut combination makes this a perfect recipe for fall when apples are readily available at the markets.  Almost any variety of apple can be used.  The maple cream cheese icing is flavored with a pinch of cinnamon and is such a treat.

Ingredients
Recipe from A Cup of Sugar... A Pinch of Salt

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 cups apples, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

For the frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 ounces (or 1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon maple extract
1/2 cup confectioners sugar


Method

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a small bowl, mix eggs, buttermilk, and oil. Stir into flour mixture just until moistened. Add diced apples and walnuts.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until center of muffin springs back when lightly touched. Cool muffins on a wire rack.

For the frosting, with a mixer combine the cream cheese, butter, cinnamon and maple extract.  Add the sugar and beat until smooth.  Top the muffins liberally and garnish with a few extra walnuts and confectioners sugar!    If you want to get a little crazy, make a few mini muffins like I did :)

 

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